Sandslash is a Pokémon that is based off a hedgehog with sharp claws. It has sharp brown spikes on its back and it can curl into a ball for protection and to attack. Sandslash has four limbs and usually stands on its hind legs. Its two feet have sharp claws and its hands have large sharp claws. It has a thin snout and large eyes. Its underbelly is white and the rest of its fur is a yellowish colour.

Sandslash can be found at Routes 26 & 27 and Mt. Moon in Gold, and Route 26 & Victory Road in Crystal.

Sandslash can be found at Route 23 and Victory Road in Leaf Green. With Leaf Green inserted into the Game Boy Advance Slot of a Nintendo DS or DS Lite, Sandslash can be found at Route 228. Sandslash reprises its original appearance in Heart Gold, appearing at Routes 26 & 27 and Mt. Moon. Sandslash also makes an appearance at the Safari Zone's Desert Area in Heart Gold and Soul Silver.

Sandslash can be found in Hippowdon Temple in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia. In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Sandslash can be found in the Daybreak Ruins at the Monument and in the Submarine before it crashes in the Present, and in the Forest Temple mission "Where Are You, Sunkern?" by completing the Mission with an S Rank.

Sandslash is listed in 11 sets. It is listed as a Common Card in the Skyridge and Boundaries Crossed sets; as an Uncommon Card in the Fossil, Gym Challenge and Mysterious Treasures sets; and as a Rare Card in the Gym Heroes, EX Sandstorm, EX Team Rocket Returns, EX Delta Species (Delta Species card), Supreme Victors and Heart Gold/Soul Silver sets.

Sandslash finds itself in the Rarely-Utilized and Over-Utilized Tiers of Competitive Battling. Even though often ridiculed when brought up competitively, Sandslash can set up Stealth Rock and get rid of the opponents' entry hazards with Rapid Spin. Sandslash can become an offensive threat with its Hidden Ability Sand Rush, which is great when paired with Hippowdon or Tyranitar in the Over-Utilized environment--due to Excadrill getting banished to the Uber Tier competition for a sweeper on a Sand team won't be a problem.

What is a problem for Sandslash, however, is lackluster Special Defense, which opponents can take advantage of.

Sandslash can roll up its body as if it were a ball covered with large spikes. In battle, this Pokémon will try to make the foe flinch by jabbing it with its spines. It then leaps at the stunned foe to tear wildly with its sharp claws.